Darius Rucker Biography & News

Darius Rucker Details

About Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker rolls to a win at the Grammys

Just 26 days after ringing in the New Year, 2014 proved it would be pretty memorable for Darius Rucker. That's because the South Carolina native won for Best Country Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, becoming only the third African American Recording act to capture a vocal performance award in a country music category.

Rucker is in good company with his recent win, joining Charley Pride and The Pointer Sisters as the other African American artists bestowed with such an honor. He took home the Gramophone thanks to his cover of Old Crow Medicine's, "Wagon Wheel," featuring backing vocals from Lady Antebellum. The song went to Number One on the Country Airplay chart back in May 2013, and Rucker's country-infused version sparked a memorable sing-along at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs).

Rucker's solo stab at a country career has more than worked out … wouldn't you say? His music has become part of the heart and soul of Nashville, and as a platinum-selling entertainer he remains in high demand as a live act. His True Believers tour continues to roll along, and featured openers David Nail and The Eli Young Band from January through March. The current leg, which runs through November with plenty of overseas dates, will feature everyone from Joel Crouse and Cassadee Pope to Chase Rice and Sam Hunt on select dates.

Known as one of the true good guys in the music industry, Rucker recently hosted his fifth annual Darius and Friends benefit concert, which benefits St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The event took place Nashville's famed Wildhorse Saloon and included plenty of artists performing for the important cause.

From Hootie and the Blowfish to fiddle and steel (Created March 6, 2013)

Darius Rucker may be forever known as the frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish, but there's another side to the artist that's winning him just as many fans. From the fiddle and steel in his music to the twang of his rich baritone, it's hard to mistake the Charleston, South Carolina native for anything but a country artist.

Rucker's career rebirth came at a time when his shift away from Hootie and the Blowfish transitioned into a solo R&B album, "Back to Then," in 2002. The album failed to chart any singles, however, and Rucker was at a professional crossroads until he inked a deal with Capitol Nashville in 2008. His first album, "Learn to Live," racked up three number-one singles – "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Alright." The success not only made him the first African American to chart a number one country song since Charlie Pride in 1983, but helped him become the first to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.

Moving away from the sentimental ballads, but keeping the fun hooks that made his first project a success, Rucker's sophomore album, "Charleston, SC 1966," was released in the fall of 2010. Critics were kind to the 'more vibrant and charming tunes' and the project was strong out of the gate with the back-to-back number one singles "Come Back Song" and "This."

On October 2, 2012, Rucker was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted two weeks later. Around the same time, the promotion for his third country album began with the release of the lead single, "True Believers." The follow-up is a cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," with backing vocals from supergroup Lady Antebellum.

Rucker will perform at the C2C: Country to Country festival in London on March 17, 2013. In May he'll play Bayou Country Superfest at LSU's Tiger Stadium. It's all part of his True Believers tour, where he'll be joined on select dates by Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore and Jana Kramer.

I Heart Radio Country Music Festival with Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw at Frank Erwin Center on 05-02-2015FROM $52

News

December 10, 2014

Best Country Christmas Songs of 2014

"Baby It's Cold Outside" Connie Britton & Will Chase If you watched ABC's Nashville last week, then you already saw Rayna (Britton) and Luke (Chase) perform this classic, albeit creepy, holiday tune. You can find this song and a whole slew of other Christmas favorites on the official Nashville holiday album just released by the…